You don’t have to sin. You don’t have to turn away from God. There is a false modesty that challenges following Jesus. “Woe is me.” The idea that, “I can’t help it; I just have to sin,” creeps into everyday life. It’s as if you almost relish that you get to be a “bad” girl or a “bad” boy.

Well, God has one thing to say to this way of thinking. “Grow up.”

Yes, we are sinful human beings. O.K. so what? We can get better. In fact, we can become the kind of people who will not be challenged by certain sins any more. You can learn not to gossip, for instance. Not to speak ill about someone behind his/her back. It is possible to hold your tongue. How? By practicing encouragement. By finding ways to speak well of people to their face. By considering someone from the perspective of Jesus. When Jesus looks at him/her, what does he see?

Just because you are a sinner, doesn’t mean you have to sin.